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Wales lock Ian Evans ruled out of clash with Australia due to knee injury

Wales have been hit by a late injury blow ahead of Saturday's clash with Australia after Ian Evans was ruled out.

Last Updated: 01/12/12 2:33pm

Ian Evans: Failed fitness test on knee injury

Evans had been due to start at lock in place of Bradley Davies, who was left with concussion after being struck by Andrew Hore in the first minute of the defeat to New Zealand last weekend.

The Ospreys forward had complained of pain in his knee during training this week, and he will not be risked against the Wallabies at the Millennium Stadium.

Cardiff Blues second-rower Lou Reed has been called into Warren Gatland's starting XV as Wales look to sign off a wretched autumn series with a morale-boosting victory.

A statement issued by the Welsh Rugby Union read: "Evans has been excluded in order to give him optimum opportunity to manage his injury.

"While he completed training this week, he has not been totally free of pain and after extended discussions between the WRU and his regional medical team, it has been decided to withdraw him from the game in order to seek further investigation and opinion."

Gatland had already made three changes among the forwards, with Gethin Jenkins replacing Bath's Paul James at loosehead and Scott Andrews coming in at tighthead for the injured Aaron Jarvis.

The one form change comes in the back row, where Aaron Shingler replaces former captain Ryan Jones, who drops to the bench alongside uncapped prop Samson Lee.

An Australia victory would condemn Wales to the third tier of countries for next Monday's draw for the 2015 World Cup.

Gatland said: "We need to pick up again from where we left off in the second half last week.

"We managed to retain 73 per cent possession after the break against the All Blacks and win the territory battle, and we need to put Australia under similar pressure from the outset.

"We've played them regularly over the last couple of years and have come close to winning on a number of occasions, but have not quite been able to get ourselves over the chalk of the finish line.

"Both sides have had injuries to cope with, but there is every reason for optimism."